How to become a Beauty Therapist

Also called: Beautician

Provides skin care, beauty and body treatments to clients.

Main tasks

• Performs a range of beauty treatments such as facials, spray tanning, eyebrow shaping and waxing
• Administers body treatments such as massages, body wraps and scrubs
• Conducts skin analyses to determine clients' skin type and condition, and uses superficial beauty devices to treat clients' skin
• Advises on skincare routines and sells beauty products to clients
• Maintains a clean and hygienic work area, and sterilises equipment in adherence to health regulations
• May apply artificial beauty products such as nails or eyelashes
• May perform cosmetic tattooing on clients

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Nail Technology (SHB30321); Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40121); Advanced Diploma of Intense Pulsed Light and Laser for Hair Reduction (SHB60118); Advanced Diploma of Skin Therapy (SHB60221); Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50121); Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30121); Certificate III in Make-Up (SHB30221); Certificate IV in Massage Therapy (HLT42021)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $61,256 a year
• About 39,300 people work in this job group now, and about 43,400 are projected by 2035. (+10.6%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Dermal Therapist
• Driving Instructor
• Hair or Beauty Salon Assistant
• Natural Remedy Consultant
• Body Artist
• Make-up Artist

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Beauty Therapist?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Nail Technology; Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy.

How much does a Beauty Therapist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $61,256 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Beauty Therapist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 39,300 to about 43,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Beauty Therapist?

Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Nail Technology; Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy.

Will AI change the work of a Beauty Therapist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04